Took the Mini ('02 MC 5spd 120,000km) out the other day and within 30m I could hear some new and very uncool sounds coming from the driveline that seemed to get worse over the next 20 mins of driving. There is a ticking like sound and some growling/humming like sounds that occur in all gears; it goes away with no load coasting or clutch in; it is appears under acceleration or deceleration; based on this its not the engine and not likely the half shafts (that appear ok); It still otherwise shifts well, so I would guess the transmission bearings. For now parked while I decide what to do. (I checked the oil, level is ok and its fairly clean; some bits of metal on the drain plug magnet, so something is coming apart.)

I'm inclined to sell it and get something more reliable and cheaper to fix when it does break; its 6 1/6 years old now but in otherwise good condition. Dealer cost to replace a transmission based on the forums is pricey; used units are not cheap if you can find them; and the remanufactured unit at Minimani is not cheap either.

However, the parts for a rebuild look to be no more than a few hundred dollars (Minimania, Pelicanparts). Cost of my labour aside, this is a pretty cheap option. So, for those that have been down the replace / rebuild transmission route (5spd Midlands), can you weighin with your thoughts and experience?

1) If you had it replaced, how much and who did it (yourself, dealer or other)?

2) And if you went the rebuild route, how much did it cost for parts, where did you get them and how much for labour (if you didn't do it yourself)?

If you did the rebuild yourself, how hard was it and how long did it take and any special tools required? Are there parts that don't come with the rebuild kits (bearings) that I should get? And lastly, would you do the rebuild again or recommend for/against doing the rebuild?

Thanks in advance for everyones comments.

 

If its shifting smooth its not the tranny. The axles usually "click" on load, and unload, when they are faulty. If its grinding, I would suspect probably a wheel bearing (listen with a screwdriver while rolling the wheel). I don't remember the 5 speed having a magnetic drain plug, although it is normal to have some metal shavings in there over time (as long as it doesn't look like you run a machine shop in your Midlands). Are you sure the fluid level for the trans is correct?

 

Thx for your suggestions. Its not a wheel bearing as I already had one go earlier this summer; that vibrated in a similar way to an out of balance wheel but at all speeds. Tranny fluid level is good; definitely has a magnetic drain plug w/some metal bits on it. The half-shafts were a good suggestion; but I put the car up on jack stands (and loaded the front axles a bit so the CV's weren't hyper extended) and had a listen with the car running in gear. Lots of noise from the drivers seat but after some poking around with an auto stethoscope at the half-shaft CV and bearing area, they are pretty quiet. Listening at the transmission casing though ... sounds like some bunch of marbles in a can. So it appears the bearing(s) are in the process of self destructing.

Not too many comments back regarding rebuilding; it appears some have done it, but the vast majority in looking thru the threads just bite the $$bullet$$ and have the dealer replace it. Quote from the dealer here is $4200CDN installed, apparently for a new one. Between this and the $2000 clutch this summer, not to mention the cooling fan failure that almost toasted the motor a year ago, the door latch and window problems a couple years ago, and wheel bearing earlier this year, its unlikely I'll keep it.

The Mini may be fun, the Ultimate Driving Machine and all that, but fun has a price with the Mini and its too high for me. It will be traded as soon as its fixed; and not for another Mini (or any BMW for that matter). Very disappointed in BMW.

 

This "new one" is likely a rebuilt one, as I can't imagine there are any new Midlands boxes and you won't be getting a Getrag. I agree with you that it is a shame that these cars have these issues with the manual gearbox. That used to be one of the big advantages to buying a car with a manual transmission is that you would never have to worry about the gearbox. That was a factor when I traded mine in.

 

Yes, the Midlands 5-speed is a weak link the cars that have them.

The MCS 6-speed swap seems to be the most reliable answer, but it's not cheap. I'm not sure what the price difference is between putting in a new / remanufactured Midlands and doing the 6-speed swap. If you already need to replace the Midlands, it might not be that much more to go to the 6-speed.

 

i replaced mine 3800 installed.... 2 years one month 3 days later today!! tranny shot out 08-14-10 again?????? i bought the other tranny 7-11-08.. the dammage was so bad it broke a hole exposing the differential.. this is the exact same damage as last time!! and mini wont cover my tranny because its 1 month out of warranty!!! i am currently fighting and threatnig to escalate this to small claims.. I have called corporate and left messages and still no response? i called the service rep at mini of universal and same.. no answer?? i cant believe this! My i have had so many problems with this car ! two tranny?? thats more than the value of the damm car!! not to mention that its always in the service center because the right axle breaks !! ive had to rplace that axle 3 times now!! yes covered under warranty only twice though .. but still inconvinient. at this point i regret trading my bmw 335 . i traded it in because the payment were 100 dollars more a month .. but with the mothly repairs im down 200 on avg

 

I feel your pain Brother! I have a 2003 MC and replaced my first one at about 59,000 just out of warranty. Luckily my Dealer and Mini paid for a Rebuilt Factory Transmission but I just paid for labor. It worked out good also cause I needed to also replace the clutch. Its a shame Mini did not acknowledge the problems with these transmissions. Now I have 116,000 on my car and having the same noises that you are experiencing. Obviously these Midlands have a shelf life of about 50,000 miles. Now it appears I will be needing a third transmission. A friend of mine has an 03 MC and his has been grumbling for about a year. This is also his second one. He still continues to drive it. He is a mechanic and also races in Autocross. He is getting ready to convert his to a Gertag six speed transmission. Im like you. I do not know if going to replace it for now. I may just trade mine in January. I love driving my Mini but this fact has really disappointed me about the car. When I trade I will for sure be looking at several other vehicles before I decide on another Mini.

 

If anyone hears about a class action law suit against BMW Mini on these problem transmissions please let me know. Thanks

 

If you want to keep the car, I'd replace it with a Getrag 6 speed. Get rid of the Midlands. Junk.

 

If you ever decided to swap out the Midlands for a Getrag 6 speed on your MC, here is a link that sheds a light on the subject. Good luck.

 

No more problem with my Midland. Loved the car but had to make the change. Disappointed with BMW on this after my second transmission died and certain other mechanical problems with the car. Was thinking of purchasing a new "S" but concerned about the product. Just purchased a 2011 VW GTI Mark VI loaded.

 

While they are costly to replace at $5k + labor, I know some MINI's with over 100K miles on a CVT and no issues. Maybe because they had proper maintenance done ? ? ? Like a tranny flush...lol.